Oronsay, Isle of Skye, Autumn
The Isle of Skye is, of course, an island, but it’s also home to lots of satellite isles in its waters.
Most of these tiny isles can be found in Loch Bracadale, a sea loch off the coast of Northwestern Skye. It contains isles such as Harlosh Island, Tarner Island, and Wiay. In addition, there is a fourth island that’s actually accessible by foot from the mainland of Skye, but only at low tide.
This is Oronsay.
We ventured to this tidal island from the nearby settlement of Ullinish after a wonderfully hearty Sunday Roast at Bog Myrtle Café. We crossed the shallow gravel bank that links Oronsay to Ullinish at low tide and went exploring this uninhabited island.
The eastern part of Oronsay consists of low lying grassland, and there were definitely plenty of sheep around taking advantage of this. The land then rises up towards the southwest, summiting at 74 m/242 ft and dropping as sheer cliffs down into the sea.
The hike to and around Oronsay was definitely one of the highlights of this particular stay on Skye.
All photos shot on my Fujifilm X-T2 using both my Samyang 35mm f/1.2 and Laowa 9mm f/2.8 lenses. Taken using a customised Pro Negative Standard film profile.
Plenty of rust-coloured bracken on the slopes of Ullinish Point, beyond which lies the tidal island of Oronsay. In the distance is the coastline of Fiskavaig Bay.
Looking back from Ard nan Gamhain towards the tiny settlement of Ullinish.
This is the shallow gravel bank that connects Ullinish Point to Oronsay at low tide. Beyond are the unmistakeable shapes of MacLeod’s Tables; a pair of flat-topped hills that are characteristic features of the Duirinish peninsula of Skye.
Always remember to look at where you’re standing, because I did and found this delightful and somewhat chaotic array of plant life by my feet. I think this might be Rosa pimpinellifolia, the Burnet Rose.
Up on Oronsay we make our way straight towards the 200+ ft high cliffs, snagging compositions along the way.
My lovely Lisabet at the summit of Oronsay and a sheer 240 ft drop next to her. Incredible scenes.
A composition leading towards the southernmost point of Oronsay. To the right, nearest, is Wiay, the largest island in Loch Bracadale. Further, to the right, is Idrigill Point of the Duirinish peninsula of Skye, and you can even just make out the hills on South Uist of the Outer Hebrides, 50 km away.
There was plenty of fascinating geology around Oronsay and Ullinish Point to entertain an amateur Rock Nerd like me. I grabbed a composition of this remarkable boulder, which lie roughly halfway between Ullinish Point and Oronsay.